Four game ban for Barca goalkeeper Valdes

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Last Updated: Thu, Mar 07, 2013 10:42 hrs

Madrid: FC Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been handed a four game ban by the disciplinary committee of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following his protests to referee Perez Lasa at the end of Saturday's 'Clasico' between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

The Barca players were incensed when Lasa failed to give a penalty deep into injury time after Real Madrid defender, Sergio Ramos seemed to have brought down Barca substitute, Adriano in the Madrid penalty area, reports Xinhua.

Had Lasa given the penalty it would have given Barca the chance to draw the game 2-2, but as it was Madrid claimed a 2-1 win as goals from Karim Benzema and Ramos were decisive against Lionel Messi's goal for the visitors.

Lasa had already booked the usually placid Andres Iniesta for protesting before the end of the game, but on the final whistle Valdes rushed out of his penalty area and according to Lasa's post match report said: "You are shameless," he was booked for the insult and then shown a red card for shouting, "You don't have any shame, you've messed it up," before being dragged away by club employees.

Barcelona have announced they will appeal the decision, but unless the appeal is successful, Valdes will have to sit out the Primera Liga matches against Deportivo la Coruna, Rayo Vallecano, Celta Vigo and Mallorca, who in theory should be straightforward rivals for the leaders of the Spanish league.

Valdes' absence does present a problem for Barca coach Jordi Roura for Saturday's game against Deportivo la Coruna. Although Valdes' usual substitute, Jose Pinto is available, he will have trouble finding an experienced replacement for Pinto, given that first choice Barca B team keeper Oier Olazabal is also suspended after being sent off against Las Palmas last weekend, while his substitute, Jordi Masip is injured.

That means Barca will go into the weekend match with a junior goalkeeper on the subs' bench.